Making Fencing Tactics Work

The trend of teaching tactics for fencing is relatively new in the history of the sport. Through the 1960s most coaching focused on the proper execution of technique, and fencers were expected to learn how to apply the techniques through fencing bouts. However, in the last two decades, there has been increased emphasis on teaching how to apply tactics to the bout situation. The following thoughts may help in thinking about how to make tactics work for you.

First, know your own capabilities. Understand how your speed, accuracy, ability to use footwork to control distance, offensive skills, defensive skills, and tactical abilities compare with your opponents'.

Second, be able to assess your opponent's capabilities. This starts with history. How has the opponent fenced you in previous competitions? It is a good idea to quickly make book (take notes) on opponent performance after every bout. Then it continues with watching the opponent on the strip in other bouts. You can pick up a lot about movement skills, distance control, technical repertoire, and tactical choices while watching. Finally you should constantly assess what the opponent is doing against you on the strip--is he or she fighting a different game than in the bouts? Have they gotten faster, or are they fatigued and getting slower?

Third, understand what is happening. This is a three part problem. First you have to be able to look at the action from your perspective as a fencer and assess what just happened. This requires a certain level of honesty and the ability to take a cold, hard look at what you just did in the heat of combat. For example, the odds are that, if you attacked into the opponent's compound attack when you saw it developing, your stop hit was too late.

The second part of understanding is being able to interpret what the referee just called. Know the hand signals, and be able to read them. More than that, you need to understand how the referee categorizes the variety of possible actions into the more limited number of signals or accepted descriptions of actions.

And then is the all-important third part-being able to compare what you think happened to what the referee called. This is critical. If the referee calls a well established point in line, that deceives the attempt to beat it out of the way and lands as a hit, as a counterattack not in time, you had best not do any more points in line. If the referee calls a sabre cut that lands on the bell a beat attack, you probably cannot rely on parrying attacks. If there is a difference between what you think and what the referee thinks, you had best adjust your tactical choices to meet the referee's interpretation of reality.

With this background you are in a position to apply tactics. One approach to this is to use the OODA loop process. Originally designed as a way to think about air to air combat, this loop has been used in applying tactics in the martial arts. The capabilities and understanding you have developed up to this point and your current observations of the opponent provide Observation, the first step of the loop. The fencer then Orients to filter observations and the referee's inputs as the basis of a Decision on the correct tactical course of action. That decision is then translated into Action. Superior tacticians can use this process more rapidly than their opponents, getting inside the other fencer's decision loop and constantly forcing the opponent to react, rather than fence his or her own tactical plan.

There are many possible models for tactical decision making. This is only one possible approach. However, if you can think tactically (and do so rapidly) and your opponent does not do this well, you have a significant advantage.

Estate Planning Strategy for Seniors

Seniors worry about aging and illness as well as who will take care of their family when they are gone. Because of this estate planning is so important. With estate planning seniors can make a plan while they are still healthy as to how their estates will be handled upon their death and they will have the reassurance knowing their families are taken care of. There are several things seniors need to do, but the first and most important is to create a financial plan.

In order to create a financial plan it is important to consider all the different retirement issues. The plan should include developing a retirement budget. Many times during retirement income is reduced so a budget is very important. Also, the plan should address consolidating income. A discussion of how long term care would be paid for and financing options should be had so there is a basic understanding of what will pass. Investment planning should be included in the plan as well as any estate decisions that will need to be made. Tax issues are also important and should be discussed and included in the plan.

The place seniors should start is with a complete financial inventory. This includes taking not of income, assets, expenses and even liabilities. Talk about what the senior is interested in long term. Is retirement living an option or will the family home be sold. These are important questions that should be worked out early on before a situation arises. Finally, determine what kind of insurance the senior will have as well as how much money for retirement.

Also, discuss a senior life settlement. This is an option for seniors who want to sell their life insurance policy for more than the cash value the life insurance company would give them to cash out. This means seniors can sell life settlements and get money to live their retirement on and the individual who bought the insurance policy will simply cash it out upon death.

Before making any of these serious decisions it is important for seniors to discuss their options with a professional. Lawyers well versed in senior matters or financial planers are two great resources for seniors to have their legal questions answered and to receive the help they need planning their retirement. Most of the time using an expensive attorney will be expensive in the short run but it will result in major savings down the road and is worthwhile.

How to Dress Your Child For Indoor Ice Skating

Most indoor ice skating rinks maintain a temperature between 45 and 60 degrees, depending on the temperature outside. When you are dressing your child for ice skating lessons or free skating at the ice rink, your first challenge will be warmth.

Skaters will be exercising strenuously, so it is important to dress your child in thin layers that can be removed easily as their bodies warm up. Avoid dressing your child in a bulky winter coat, as heavy coats make it difficult to move freely. A warm turtleneck under a warm, close-fitting sweater will keep your child warmer than a winter coat, and will permit free movement.

Many girls want to wear a skating dress. If you plan to have your daughter take lessons, then a simple skating dress and tights may be a good investment. However, if she is simply going to skate recreationally now and then, this might not be an investment you want to make.

Close fitting sweat pants or zipped wind pants are good choices for both boys and girls. Jeans do not have much ability to stretch, they easily absorb moisture, and they are very slow to dry, which makes them a less optimum choice for skating.

One of the most important parts of your skater's wardrobe should be a comfortable pair of thin, seamless socks. A sock with seams can rub against the foot and cause blisters. Because skate boots are designed to be tight, thick socks can squeeze the foot and reduce circulation, which will make your child's feet feel cold more quickly.

If you child will be renting ice skates, bring along a thicker pair of socks to wear over the thin pair to provide extra padding in case the rented rink skates don't fit perfectly or are well-worn.

For several reasons skaters should always wear gloves. Gloves obviously will keep a skater's hands warm. They also provide some protection in case of a fall on the ice or if another skater runs into a child who has fallen.

A warm wool hat will keep your skater's head and ears warm. Avoid any head covering that could impair your skater's vision. "Hoodies" or parka hoods should be avoided.

For the same reason, skaters should never wear scarves, which can obstruct vision or catch a skate. Many rinks prohibit any kind of scarf on the ice.

Girls should always have their hair pulled back or restrained, so that it cannot get into the eyes.

Avoid letting your skater wear jewelry. Most rinks prohibit any kind of jewelry, which can break and fall onto the ice and trip another skater.

And finally a note to parents of boys: Boys will be extremely uncomfortable if they are asked to wear white skates. If you have inherited a pair of white skates that fit your boy, either dye them black (black shoe polish will also work, but it can be messy), or cover them with black skate covers. Your son will skate much more confidently if he "fits in" with the other boys at the rink.

If your child will be taking ice skating lessons, you can observe what the other students are wearing before the first lesson and talk to the coach about appropriate clothing for lessons.

5 Ways to Relieve Stress: Are Your Kids Making You Go Crazy?

Do your children ever make your head feel like it's going to just pop right off if you have to repeat yourself one more time? I am constantly saying things like "Stop touching your brother", "Can you please calm down", "Stop doing that", "Can you please be quiet"...the list could go on and on.

Sometimes I feel like my oldest son hears another language when I am speaking to him. I might as well be with how well he listens to me. I often can repeat myself ten times and he still won't listen. He seems to go in spurts with his listening abilities when it comes to my husband and I.

He can listen perfectly occasionally but more often than not we have to repeat ourselves. Although it's funny that at school he has one of those glowing halos above his head. Maybe it's an authority figure thing? I much rather it be this way than having him be rotten at school, but I really hope his at home listening skills kick in here soon.

Here are a few things I like to do so I don't go completely mommy dearest on him:

1. Close my eyes and go to happy place for a few minutes. Thinking about something else for a little bit helps separate my boggled mind from the situation. Then I can react more calmly than I would in the heat of the moment.

2. Take deep, deep breaths. Deep breathing is a natural stress reliever. That's why you always hear it as a tactic to use in stressful situations (i.e. when you're scared or in labor)

3. Try not to let everything little bother me. If I reacted to every little thing my children do that I don't like... I would be a bald woman, in the corner of my house, in a fetal position, constantly repeating "No, don't do that". Now, we don't want that do. Do we?

4. If I get too stressed out explaining my reasoning for being upset gives me a chance to reflect on the situation. I have to calmly explain why I am upset, what they did wrong, and how we can prevent that from happening again. This also tends to help my son understand why he should listen. I almost see that cartoon light bulb turn on above his head.

5. Take a parent time out. If I am at my wits end going to another room for a little bit helps me clear my mind. I can then go out and tackle the stresses that await me.

Hopefully writing these things out will help me remember to not overact in times of stress. I am very high strung person so that is quite a task for me to do. I have to remember he is just a kid. My kid. My kid that I love with all my heart. No matter what.

Bamboo Flooring Is Coming Of Age In Oregon

Many people find bamboo flooring to be an attractive proposition when it comes to adding a touch of elegance to their homes. Although it is similar to many types of hardwood flooring, bamboo floors are much stronger and durable.

Another good thing about bamboo flooring is that it is promotes ecological balance. Bamboo plants grow fast. Once the mature bamboo reeds have been harvested, the plants will produce more canes. Since bamboo is a sustainable and renewable resource, bamboo floors are slightly cheaper than hardwood floors.

In the United States, the main producers of bamboo floor boards are found along the West Coast, and the best are in Oregon.

If you search the Internet for bamboo flooring suppliers, you will be flooded with hundreds of websites that provide information as to where you can buy the best bamboo flooring. Most of the searches will display suppliers from Oregon, and the rest indicate companies from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

Bamboo flooring companies can provide you with traditional flooring types that need to be glued or nailed on the sub-floor. The latest innovation of bamboo flooring - the glueless variety - is also available from numerous manufacturers.

Bamboo flooring is laminated the way plywood boards are polished, so it does not expand or contract with significant temperature changes. Bamboo floors are more resistant to moisture compared to those that are made of hardwood. This means that once the flooring is in place, it is less likely to warp, cup or create gaps between individual planks.

Just like any other types of flooring made of raw natural materials, bamboo flooring has color variations - some boards may slightly darker or lighter than others. This feature adds to the exotic look of bamboo flooring.

You'll find out that bamboo is not only ideal for home flooring; it's also a good choice for your office floor. However, it is not advisable to use bamboo floors for bathrooms. Although bamboo flooring can tolerate moisture better than hardwood floors, it cannot be installed in areas where there is standing water.

The Internet is not the only source of information about bamboo flooring. You may consult a construction professional or ask assistance from local shops or browse home improvement magazines. These options will tell you where in Oregon you can find the best manufacturer of bamboo flooring.

I Am One of Them: A Review of Uwem Akpan's Book "Say You're One of Them"

Uwem Akpan's much acclaimed collection of short stories entitled "Say You're One of Them" is bound to leave you breathless. Not just because of its cultural richness, or its factual accuracy, or even its astoundingly raw pictorial prose; but rather because it is a universal masterpiece of humanity and truth.

All throughout the five short stories weaved in his book, Akpan speaks in the innocent and pure voice of children about some of the harshest realities plaguing our African continent. From poverty and child prostitution in "The Ex-Mas Feast" to child sex trafficking in "Fattening for Gabon", to religious, social and national divisions in "What language is that?", "Luxurious Hearses" and "My parents' bedroom", Akpan artfully spells out the beauty and humanity behind the dark curtains of these much publicized horrors.

We've all heard of the disasters of child prostitution on the streets of Lagos, or felt the shame of child sex trafficking as reported from the shores of Gabon, or shielded our faces from the disturbing images displayed on television screens around the world of the genocide in Rwanda. Yet few of us have managed to hear these stories from the mouths of those most affected by them: the children. That is exactly the simple, yet extraordinary feat that Uwem Akpan so successfully accomplishes in his work.

Through the voices of children such as Monique in Rwanda, Jubril in Niger, or Kotckikpa in Benin, Akpan cracks open a much-needed window on the humanity behind these horror stories. These are children, African children, filled with hope, promise and future, who despite the shame of selling their bodies on poorly lit city streets to sustain their families, still know how to laugh when being tickled. These are children who do not understand what it means to be sold as sex slaves by their own families, yet still love the very perpetrators of these crimes with all their heart. These are children who cherish other children just because, despite religious and societal barriers imposed by childish adults who do not know any better. These are children who look at Death in the face, walking in the dark, their feet shuffling in pools of blood, instinctively, unknowingly pursuing Life. They embody the meaning of Humanity, Love, Endurance, and Friendship.

They do not condemn, neither do they judge the world that already condemned and sentenced them. They simply tell the truth of their stories to whomever wants to listen. And listen we should, because these stories are not just about some remote part of the world we get to peek at and return to our everyday havens. Because these are stories about us, about how we, as human beings, see ourselves, about the definitions we assign ourselves, and the denominations we assign others. About the shame and guilt we feel as a result of not knowing and upholding the truth of who we are. About the moral dispossession we fall prey to, for elusive want of material possessions. About the shattered innocence and broken dreams that is the bulk of the inheritance left by the heavy toll of previous generations, oblivious of the gift of Tomorrow. About Life, Death, and Redemption.

About you and I. I am one of Them.

SL. http://keurawa.wordpress.com/

Acid Reflux and Weight Gain

Acid reflux is a common disorder that affects more than 7 percent of the American population. The disease generates symptoms such as heartburn, throat inflammation and pain, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. The symptoms of acid reflux have a pronounced recurrent character and they generally persist in time. Symptoms such as heartburn and chest discomfort tend to intensify at night or after meals.

Acid reflux involves regurgitation of the stomach's content inside the upper levels of the esophageal tract. The disorder is usually caused by acquired or genetically inherited physiological dysfunctions such as high pressure inside the abdomen or inappropriate activity of the lower esophageal sphincter (ring-shaped muscular valve that connects the esophagus to the stomach). Although inappropriate diet and unhealthy lifestyle greatly contribute to the occurrence of acid reflux, the disorder generally occurs on the premises of physiological abnormalities.

Obesity is a common risk factor of acid reflux disease. Due to increased abdominal pressure, overweight people are commonly confronted with acid reflux. However, recent studies have revealed the fact that even the slightest gain in weight can facilitate the occurrence of acid reflux. Medical scientists claim that people who experience difficulties in maintaining a constant weight are very likely to suffer from acid reflux.

Until recently, the connection between acid reflux and body weight was vague and in the absence of conclusive evidence, medical scientists could only speculate upon this matter. However, latest studies in the field have confirmed the existent theories regarding the involvement of weight gain in causing acid reflux disease.

In order to reveal clear links between acid reflux and body weight, researchers have calculated the incidence of the disease in women, judging by the BMI (body mass index) of the subjects. More than 10.000 women that participated to the study had to complete a questionnaire which asked if they have been confronted with acid reflux in the past. The women that participated to the study were also asked about the intensity, the frequency and the duration of their symptoms. Around 20 percent of the participants stated that they have suffered from acid reflux in the past. A smaller number of participants were still confronted with the disease at the date of the study. More than 50 percent of the participants claimed to have experienced moderate or intense symptoms of acid reflux disease.

The study revealed very interesting facts, as the incidence and the seriousness of the disease increased gradually according to body weight ratios. The women who had a BMI under 20 were 30 percent less likely to be affected by acid reflux disease than those who had a BMI above 20. Thus, the risk of acid reflux has proved to increase proportionally with BMI. Although medical scientists have disregarded aspects such as the age factor, the study clearly suggests the implication of weight gain in causing acid reflux disease.

Repetitive Strain Injury - RSI

Repetitive strain injury, repetitive stress injury, or RSI is a term that most people have heard of. It is also known as Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD), occupational overuse syndrome, non-specific arm pain or work related upper limb disorder (WRULD).

RSI is a term used to describe a range of painful conditions of the muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. It is usually related to a job or occupation, but leisure activities can also be a cause.

RSI is related to overuse of muscles in your hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, back, or neck, e.g., typing, using a computer mouse a lot, etc. Other factors may contribute, such as poor posture whilst completing the task.

However, the precise reason why RSI develops is not clear. In many cases there is no swelling, inflammation or other obvious problems which develop in the muscles or tendons, and yet symptoms develop.

In most cases the symptoms develop in an arm, wrist or hand, as these body parts most commonly do repetitive tasks. In recent years it is computer operators, typists, musicians and people doing repetitive tasks in factories who most commonly develop RSI.

The symptoms of an injury could be one or more of the following:

Pain, stiffness, swelling, numbness or tingling in your muscle or joints. Discomfort which is brought on by carrying out a particular task, which then improves when you have finished the task and resting. A throbbing sensation in the affected area.. Loss of strength or sensation in your hand.

There are no tests to confirm a diagnosis of RSI. It is often diagnosed based on the fact that symptoms develop following a repetitive task, and tend to fade once the task is stopped.

RSI is very treatable in the early stages, but even a short delay in seeking rest and treatment can put back recovery by weeks, months or even years.

Treatment for RSI usually aims to help with your pain, and to enable your strength and mobility to return.

Fitness techniques and therapy are recommended to help with RSI:

Massages to help relax the body and muscles Acupuncture Swimming Yoga Tai Chi

The following suggestions will help prevent the development of RSI:

If you work at a computer all day make sure the keyboard, mouse etc.. are positioned so they cause you the least amount of strain to your fingers, wrist and back. Sit at your desk with good posture. If you do a repetitive task at work take plenty of breaks to stretch out.

In some cases you can claim compensation for RSI.

Book Review - Fireside by Susan Wiggs

Kimberly Van Dorn is a mess.  She's flying coach, dressed in a sequin evening gown, wearing four inch strapless heels and accompanied by only one piece of 'luggage' a Judith Leiber handbag.  Where is she going and what is she running from?   We know this much, she's just left the eternal sunshine of LA for the frigid winter of Willow Lake in upstate New York.

A media agent for superstar sports figures, Kimberly has traded in her job for what she believes will be the comfort her mother's arms and the pace of small town life.  But small town doesn't mean small problems, because this story is filled with quirky characters that have issues. Particularly Bo Crutcher, minor league baseball player with big league dreams.  On the precipice of realizing his life long goal he's thrown into a relationship with AJ, the son he's never met.  The circumstances are rough and AJ has to deal with a father he thinks abandoned him.

Fireside is about dreams and second chances.  The author has created vivid characters that jump off the page, each with their own back story and baggage.  As the characters meet, they form relationships that help cast off the shadows of the past and create hopes for the future.

Susan Wiggs has become a favorite of mine. Her ability to envelop the reader into the story and the characters is what got me hooked.  You care what happens.  I found myself waiting to get back to the book in between work and errands.

My only quibble is that I felt rushed at the end.  She spends quite a bit of time developing the characters and revealing their stories, so I was surprised when a few pages from the end she wrapped everything up.  I felt the resolution deserved a bit more time.  However, I strongly recommend this story - it will capture you.